Given that the first patent was filed in 2004, and the third was filed in 2011, the normal 20 year period from the filing date will see Rhofade under patent protection likely until 2031. This means no chance of generic rhofade for many years.

U.S. 7,812,049

The present invention is directed to the treatment of skin erythema as exhibited in rosacea and other conditions characterized by increased erythema (redness) of the skin. These conditions exhibit dilation of blood vessels due to a cutaneous vascular hyper-reactivity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel composition and method for the treatment of skin erythema using α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-adrenoceptor) agonists incorporated into cosmetic, pharmacological or dermatological compositions for topical application to the skin.

U.S. 8,420,688

The present invention is directed to the treatment of skin erythema as exhibited in rosacea and other conditions characterized by increased erythema (redness) of the skin. These conditions exhibit dilation of blood vessels due to a cutaneous vascular hyper-reactivity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel composition and method for the treatment of skin erythema using α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-adrenoceptor) agonists incorporated into cosmetic, pharmacological or dermatological compositions for topical application to the skin

U.S. 8,883,838

The present invention provides pharmaceutical cream compositions comprising oxymetazoline and methods for treating rosacea and other skin disorders as described herein using the above cream compositions.

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3 Reader Comments

I’ve started taking Oxymetazoline Cream 0.5% (not as strong) and so far, had no rebound redness. I applied it this morning and about an hour later the redness has changed to a pink colour. This cream doesn’t immediately work like Mirvaso where you end up with a pale skin and then after 12 hours, the product stops working and the redness comes back with a vengeance. Studies have found that after applying oxymetazoline to the skin once a day, a decrease in redness was noted in 1 hour and the effect was sustained throughout the day. I’m now hoping continued application once a day over several months will dramatically improve my rosacea symptoms. At least I can say, so far so good 🙂

Sorry not “taking” “using”. For further information I applied Brimonidine eye drops on my cheeks before using Oxymetazoline cream and it made the redness on both sides worse. For me it wasn’t a good option.

I received a sample of Rhofade at my derm’s office recently and I was impressed with the results. I decided to have a script called in yesterday. When I went to my pharmacist he had to look it up since they had never ordered Rhofade before. When he found it on his system he looked it, looked at me, looked at it again and then pursing his lips. “Do you have insurance?” “Yeah…..” “…hmm…we’ll see if that helps…” “Is it a little over a $100 or something?” “…welllll one tube…one month supply is a little over $600…”

And in that moment my soul temporarily left my body.

With insurance?…somewhere around $275.

LUDICROUS. I was honestly flabbergasted. I still am.

Luckily, my pharmacist is very nice and was able to get coupons that lowered the price to $50 for 4 scripts.

So yeah I have to make those 4 last a lifetime apparently because there is no way I can afford this on the regular…irregular…or ANY time in the future.

I am sad to see that this patent is lasting so long. No cheaper generic for a long while.